Monday, December 22, 2008

Sacred Cows

One man's sacred cow is another man's, er, beef.. And what could classify as downright cheapness, can also, by a small smart calculated shift and a little lipstick, become shining & exemplary behaviour.

So, a Congress minister can cater to his political base (which need not extend to India, but is probably limited to his Religion). So while Indians can fret and and frown, by playing to his target constituency, it sees him as a hero (He claims to have started recieving big hugs now, each time he goes to pray!).

So when the Indian cricket team say they are playing for the country and for Bombay, it sounds hollow. Because, unlike the England team that gave away 50% of their personal match fees earning, all the Indian cricketers contributed is 'dedicating' their win to the Bombay victims (and Sachin's raising his bat after, oh-thank-God achieving his 41st century to keep his neck ahead of Ponting). So once you put those black arm bands, you can continue and mint money; and hopefully the IPL cash coffers will also open up soon.

So, when Star Plus shows the Voice of India song-and-dance program last evening with all gloss and glitter, without a care about the propriety of it, happening less than a month of the Bombay terror attacks - they are smart enough to take precautionary action. Throw in a few tricolour-clad dancers and put in stupid patriotic Bollywood songs (suno gaur se duniya waalon buri nazar naa hampe daalo) - and presto, they are actually doing it for the country. Not money or TRPs, of course not.

Like sex, jingoism sells too. So, put in the tricolours, or don't, depending on the constituency you wish to appeal to. And exploit the masses.

Sacred cows are meant to be slaughtered, yes, but you do need to make the right noises.
..

11 comments:

OG said...

good one......

Rain Girl said...

very thought provoking..and it's so sad, but so true :(

Vinod_Sharma said...

Hard-hitting, honest, timely. All these guys must be made to read this post.

moon said...

Nice post...

Sagarone said...

But then what else can we expect from them? Conscience, empathy and morality are foreign incomprehensible concepts. It is the baser instincts that we pander to.....

Does it matter said...

@ Sagarone

Your one comment sums it up. Maybe we *are* an uncivilized, uncouth and uncultured society?

Somewhere in an interview, one of the relatives of a victim (Taj/ Oberoi) said that all the jewellery and valuables had been taken off the dead body. Same happens when there is a tragedy or accident.

Are we as a society bad, going on evil ? Maybe.

N said...

i think sagarone said it. how else do we explain our behaviour - you have tv channels still sensationalising it, you have politicians still bickering among themselves ..... but we still talk about change and being "awakened"

Deeps said...

Couldnt have put it better,DIM.
BTW,You've been awarded here http://deeps-speakingup.blogspot.com/2008/12/im-honoured.html
Do collect your award and oblige:)

A Merry Christmas to you!

Unknown said...

Really thought provoking, even seems little tricky to understand!!

Indian Home Maker said...

I guess making the right noises is most important ...

Very well written, even if I disagree a little, here and there :)
It's nice to see you back :)

Raghu Ram Prasad said...

Mind blowing writings....nice...the some politicians are like animals